[Day: Tuesday, July 6th. Time: 10:30 p.m.]
[The sun is shining in the underground city! You haven't been in here
too long, but the feeling that your not welcome is still pretty strong. Still,
you can explore the city as you please, as long as you don't touch anything or
do anything or take up any valuable space, etc etc etc... Rei, Maria and Chomei
went -> this way, leaving Lazar and Chie on their own.]
[Start!]
... still say was no good idea to explore.
Could have crazy law what say outsiders must hop on one foot while cluck
like chicken.
* Chie looks up from the the sketch she's been doing. The buildings have very
interesting patterns that she suspects would work very well in her jewelry.
"Well, they said they'd be right back. I trust them."
* Chie looks up from the the sketch she's been doing. The buildings have very
interesting patterns that she suspects would work very well in her jewelry.
"Well, they said they'd be right back. I trust them."
... right. Because Maria, Rei, and Chomei is models of restraint.
Besides, it's been a while since I've gotten a chance to sit and work
designs.
Hey, Chomei is.
...kinda.
... excatly. When Chomei is most responsible one in group, all hope
lost.
Maybe we should've gone with them.
* Lazar grins slightly at that.
* Chie grins back, though, and adds another detail to her sketch.
* Lazar just stands guard, like a good servitor.
... after we stop Dracula, I really need to find hobby. Other than
Slinky.
[Rei and Chomei eventually show up.]
* Rei is floating right behind Chomei, singing (but not too loud, 'cause they
don't want to get kicked out!), "You're so lame. You probably think this song is
about you!"
* Chie waves. "Hey, guys!" She holds up her sketch.
* Lazar nods at Rei and Chomei, then pauses. "... where Maria?"
Hey, that's nice! Can I keep it? What is it? It's the city, right?
Buildings of the city we're not supposed to touch 'cause then they have to
polish it to get our nasty outsider germs off?
Oh, uh, she said she had to run off, but hopefully it's not to steal
anything, 'cause she might get caught or something.
I really like the patterns on the buildings. I'm gonna try and work it
into some of my pieces when we get back.
* Chomei walks up. "Did I just hear you call me reasonable?"
No. Must have more wax in ears.
You're so lame, you probably think this song is about you, don't you,
don't you?
* Chie laughs.
* Chomei eyes Rei. "... Right."
* Chie adds in a few details. It's not so much a sketch of the buildings as it
is some of the more specific patterns.
( Awareness checks! )
2d6-2
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chie (2d6-2) and gets 5.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chomei (2d6) and gets 7.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Lazar (2d6) and gets 5.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6) and gets 10.
* Rei grins at Chomei, then hovers over to look over Chie's shoulder. Her feet
belatedly touch ground. "Move aside, move aside, gotta fulfill the necessary
Maria function, ooh, is that that building right over there? I wonder what's in
it. The mangochicken stuff isn't coming from there, I know that much. Maybe it's
a department store. Do you think these people believe in capitalism?"
[Whoever made it notices Asanjya, walking out of "Capital Magic
Supplies!" Over -> there.]
(That's CAPITAL!)
* Chie looks up at Rei. "Yes, they do. Or, at least, Asanjya does. Wait.
Asanjya? Asanjya!" She waves at the wandering summoner.
* Asanjya is frowning. And looking upset.
* Rei looks up. And waves. "Hiiiiiii Asanjya!"
Where have you been?
Did you get in ahead of us or something?
* Lazar tilts his head, and looks where Chie's looking. "... how she keep doing
that?"
* Asanjya looks up. "Oh, hi."
* Rowyn is now known as RowynAway
Well, you guys were moving slowly, you know, and I figured there'd be
stuff to buy. So.
* Asanjya shrugs.
Didja buy anything?
* Rei zips over to Asanjya, just hovering a little! "Whadja bring me?"
... Right. Did you actually do anything?
And they actually let you go shopping?
( Wait. Wasn't Asanjya not with us when we got through the portal? How'd
she get into the city? )
(Magic!)
( Deus ex Machina! )
(mad summoner skills)
( Cheese bribe )
(Damn, was that all it took?)
(All of the above?)
I went shopping. They wouldn't sell to me.
Not a surprise.
( They have a legend fortelling of a prophet with hair that lives who
will come to them in a time of need? )
I told them I could incinerate the place, but they just laughed.
Probably think their magic's superior or whatever.
Probably 'cause it's fireproof.
Have a seat.
* Rei has a seat on the ground, next to Chie. Still looking at the picture.
Y'know what you need, Chie? I know what you need!
What do I need, Rei?
* Rei beams. "You need markers! And fruit. And squirrels. And waffles. But not
squirrel waffles, 'cause then animal rights would be after you. But definitely
markers."
* Lazar patpats Asanjya. "Well, good to see they no put you on rack."
...
* Rei digs through her backpack and pulls out a pack of markers, plunking it in
front of Chie.
* Asanjya sits down next to Chie as well, and looks up to Lazar. "And they have
all kinds of rare ingredients, too. It makes me mad enough to spit, even."
* Chie grins, turns to a new page of her sketchbook, and takes one of the
markers. "So what should I draw?"
[Hearing checks!]
* Asanjya adjusts her hair-tentacle-bun.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chomei (2d6) and gets 8.
2d6
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Asanjya (2d6) and gets 10.
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Lazar (2d6) and gets 5.
2d6-2
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chie (2d6-2) and gets 4.
(Chie is going to draw MC2 stick figures!)
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6) and gets 5.
You should draw a giant muffin!
[Chie and Rei hear footsteps!]
With an american flag sticking out from the middle on a skyscraper
toothpick.
Okay! Or a waffle. With cherries and a scoop of ice cream. And
someone's coming.
... Well, I guess it could be Japanese. We gotta be patriots.
Yes! Ice cream cherries! Huh?
* Rei looks up and around.
* Chie looks up from her not-really-anything-yet sketch.
* Asanjya is preoccupied with her hair. And Lazar.
No recommend spitting. Probably death penalty offense.
[Chie and Rei see a boy approaching sloooowly. Until they look around.
Then he runs away!]
Probably.
Can't spit anyway. You don't have any spit. Uh, hi. Bye? Oh well.
So, you were gonna draw stuff!
* Chie points the marker at where he ran. "Who was he?"
* Chomei shrugs.
* Rei looks back at the picture. "Cherry houses!"
Probably came to take a look at the outsider freaks or somethin'.
S'not like we bite. Oh well.
( Hearing checks! Again. )
I bite waffles!
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6) and gets 8.
2d6-2
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chie (2d6-2) and gets 8.
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Asanjya (2d6) and gets 7.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chomei (2d6) and gets 10.
* Chie pulls out a red marker and starts drawing again.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Lazar (2d6) and gets 6.
[Rei and Asanjya see a different kid approach.]
* Rei looks up, smiles, and waves.
* Asanjya looks up, abruptly. Frowning.
[The kid looks surprised when Rei does that, but smiles back and
approaches nervously.]
* Chie scribblesketches.
* Asanjya 's hair twitches.
(Asanjya's a grumpy gus.)
(You're a mook, boy. Don't make me goth poetry you into submission.)
* Rei keeps smiling. Not maniacally... well, just a little, but just smiling.
"Hi."
* Lazar just stands there, arms folded.
[The kid moves all the way up to Rei and looks up at her with cute wide
eyes.]
* Rei looks down at him. Then kneels, so he can se her better.
(see)
* Chie looks up from her sketch and at the kid. "Aww, cute."
* Asanjya narrows her eyes. And clutches her staff.
[All of a sudden, he pokes Rei's nose and runs off!]
* Chomei raises an eyebrow.
* Rei blinks. "Hey, that was my nose!" She feels at her face. "Oh, good. Still
there."
* Chie laughs.
[There's some giggling from around the corner.]
That's so cute!
Kids these days, just poking people's noses. No respect. No respect!
* Asanjya relaxes. Slightly. "Did they take anything?"
* Rei grins. "Don't think so. My nose is still here." She checks her pockets.
... probably best if no poke back, though.
Talking obviously no illegal. No know about touch.
They're just kids having some fun. Probably daring eachother to poke
the outsiders.
* Chie pokes Chomei.
* Chomei pokes Chie back.
* Rei pokes them both. In the nose. "I win!"
This IS Maria's hometown, after all. Best to be careful.
Curses!
* Rei cackles.
* Chie pokes Rei with her marker. "No you don't!"
* Rei yelps!
Hey, no marky! No marky!
(NO NOSE TOUCH.)
(I TOUCH NOSE.)
(I EAT HAT.)
(That joke will never die. Neither will STICK + METAL)
2d6
(= SPEAR!)
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6) and gets 10.
I didn't get you with the ink part, see?
(The Scythe Remix!)
* Rei keeps checking her pockets. And her backpack. "Okay, I don't think
anything's missing, probably, but maybe I brought too much stuff. Hey, a squirt
gun! When'd I pack that? Ooh, cards. Anyone wanna play poker? We can use, uh...
pebbles! No, those pebbles are probably public property."
So, what, exactly, is going on?
* Rei squeals as she comes across a little beanbag plush and pulls it out
triumphantly. "Millicent!"
We are waiting while Ensof talks with someone important about things
which we are not authorized to know. (*pause*) ...Millicent?
( o/~ She's not that Millicent... o/~ )
[Millicent does not respond. She must be dead ;_;]
2d6-6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-6) and gets -1.
2d6-6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-6) and gets 4.
(She's stuffed!)
( Jesse... *wipes tear from his eye* ...that's beautiful. )
* Rei holds it out to Chie. It's a three inches big, tie-dyed beanbag
stegasaurus with sequined eyes. "Millient Penelope Carillo the Third! She's
always been in here. Just haven't pulled her out. She's been a good luck charm,
keeping me from- actually- no- never mind, she hasn't been very good luck at
all."
But she's cool, see!
* Asanjya looks to Chie. "Business as usual, then?"
* Chie nods at Asanjya. "Yep." Then she looks at Millicent. "Awesome! Can I hold
her?"
* Maria suddenly becomes apparent right behind Rei. "Hey guys!"
* Chie waves at Maria. "Hey, Maria. Where were you?"
Good day, Maria.
* Chie is pretty much used to her appearing out of nowhere.
'Sploring. This place has great stuff!
* Rei yelps and jumps!
* Rei spins. "Maria!"
* Maria blinks. "What?"
* Lazar manages not to jump as Maria appears. "Hey Maria. What you up to?"
* Rei gives her a hug. "Hi you're not dead that's cool you didn't get in trouble
did you I guess not 'cause you're still here hi!"
* OmegAway is now known as OmegaDarklight
* Rei then lets go and spins again, putting Millicent in Chie's hands. "Don't
lose her!"
* Maria blinks, then hugs back! "Yeah! Nobody saw me do anything, so I'm not in
trouble!"
I promise I won't.
... Right.
So, can we continue doing whatever it is we're here for?
* Chie gently sets Millicent on her lap and swaps markers, then begins sketching
the plushie on a new sheet of paper. "Can't until Ensof gets back, I think."
Sure! We were sitting and waiting for stuff to happen.
And being good.
* Asanjya looks up to Maria. "You didn't happen to steal any magical components,
did you?"
The two are usually synonymous. Anyone wanna play cards with me?
Dunno. Some of the stuff may be magical. Great artisanship. Real shiny!
[Maria rings like a phone!]
Not what I'm looking for, thou... interesting.
* Chie looks up. "Uh, Maria? You're ringing."
* Maria blinks.
How are you ringing? Why are you ringing?
* Maria rifles through her backpack for the source of the ringing.
You should answer yourself.
* Rei looks up. "Isn't it hard to get a connection down here?
* Lazar eyes Maria, then rubs his forehead. "I getting too old for this..."
[When Maria opens her backpack, a green object that can only be
described as an orb (or maybe a sphere or some other round-ish object) flies
out. It zigzags around for a bit.]
Where'd you get *that*?
Catch it!
It was just sitting around. In someone's home. They weren't using it!
* Asanjya lets Xaphan loose to chase after it!
Augh, that's not good!
* Lazar glares down at Maria.
* Maria has the decency to look embarrassed.
[Xaphan catches it! And gets a bit of a wild ride. But eventually it
stops between Maria and Chie.]
I'm not touching it.
...
We in middle of city of highly psychotic violent people just looking for
reason to blast us to bits... maybe was no good time to go 'shopping'.
Yeeeah.
* Rei watches it go. "Weeeee're in trouble."
* Asanjya bends down to look at it. And Xaphan too.
Uhm... but it was so shiny.
Asankya, can you tell it I'm sorry?
Yes. And I sure our charred corpses will be too.
* Chie puts her sketchbook away and hands Millicent and the markers back to Rei.
"Kleptomania baaaaaaaaaaaad, Maria."
Klepawha?
So you're still gonna get us in trouble 'cause you can bet somebody saw it
or there's a tracking device or something and then they're going to kick us out
or hang us by our toes and I don't wanna have to watch Bambi for all eternity!
The impulsive, uncontrollable desire to take stuff. Usually, it's
harmless. This time, it might not be.
[It projects a holographic-like image. In it is a pretty woman with
solid-gold eyes and long brown hair. She also looks rather irritated.
"El'Salvador! I thought I told you I wanted a da'nish for... oh."]
* Chie mutters, "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're our only hope."
Oh, nobody saw-- eh? Uhm, hello. Wrong number, sorry.
* Rei snorks. She can't help it. But she still looks annoyed, or freaked. More
freaked than annoyed.
[The woman tilts her head slightly. "Who are you? You are not Et'Ada."]
* Asanjya plucks Xaphan off the orb with her hair tentacle and tucks him into
her hairtentaclebun!
* Chomei elbows Chie and signals discreetly for her to be quiet. ^^;
* Maria blinks. "We're visitors on important business."
Business? What business?
* Chie gives Chomei a "Aww, don't you trust me?" look, but she shuts up.
* Asanjya looks to Maria.
The, uhm, Dark Lord Drakula wants to come and trick the Et'Ada into
aiding his nefarious schemes.
* Rei paces in circles around the group. Pace, pace, pace.
Oh yes. That Dracula hubbub. Hmm... And you seek to help?
Well, yeah. Helping's what we do.
* Chomei gives Chie the "I do, but now is a bad time to quote old movies" look.
Right guys?
I see... Well... Perhaps I could assist you.
Huh?
* Asanjya blinks.
* Rei is right back by Maria, looking around her to the orb. "But I thought you
guys didn't like outsiders or something even if we are trying to help. We were
told not to breathe too hard, or we'll disrupt your air, or something."
...you could? That'd be great! How? And what do we have to -- Rei!
What!
* Chie gives Chomei the "Gotcha" look, then turns her attention to the current
conversation.
* Lazar facepalms. "So doomed."
She just said she could help! Be nice!
Of course, dears. However, in order to trust you, I require you to do
one small task for me. o/~
I am being nice! I think. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings or- oh, here
we go.
* Chie gives Chomei the "Yeah, I knew there was a catch" look.
* Chomei gives Chie the "There's always a catch" look.
* Asanjya rolls her eyes.
And that is?
It seems the seal keeping the dark god Qwerty'uiop in check is starting
to fade. We need someone to put a new one on. Unfortunately, the high priests
are stubborn and refuse to believe that the seal won't last for another hundred
years.
* Asanjya blinks. Slowly.
You must be joking.
No, I'm quite serious.
Then perhaps my ears are going bad.
Er, uhm. Wow.
I thought I heard you say we had to reseal a dark god?
* Chie gives Chomei the "Do you *believe* this?" look.
That could be, dear. I don't know how you humans function.
Can I ask some questions?
Certainly.
Like, who are you, how do you know this, and how are we supposed to seal
a dark god up?
* Chomei gives Chie the "Always us, isn't it?" look.
* Rei looks at Chie.
* Rei looks at Chomei.
* Rei flails!
Because I put him there in the first place and you can pick up a seal at
the temple. I'm sure you've seen it; you can't possibly miss it.
* Chie nods at Chomei, then looks at Rei. "What?"
Stop looking at each other!
* Chomei nods. "What?"
* Rei jumps over to block their eyesight.
Hey!
... Right.
* Rei sighs happy-like.
* Chie gives Rei the "And what was that for?" look.
... Master Ensof say we no supposed to do anything that get us in
trouble.
* Rei covers Chie's eyes with her hand!
( Mind roll - linguistics, Chie! )
2d6-2
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chie (2d6-2) and gets 4.
Oh, on the contrary, you'd be doing us a great service.
Oh. Will this get us into trouble?
Oh. Ummm... so we just go to the temple, ask 'em for a seal, and put it
where?
* Rei perks, then looks around to that orb. "You put it up? Wow, how long do you
people live? No offense, I mean, I'm sure I have a very short lifespan compared
to you guys."
* Chie ducks under Rei's hand.
[Chie catches herself just in time; what she thought was the "And what
was that for?" look was actually the "Your mother was an alligator." look.]
(Rei probably wouldn't mind. ^_~)
(Don't you go callin' my momma an alligator! >_ (They'd have an amusing argument about it later. ;p)
They will give you directions. Don't worry.
Won't it get us in trouble?
As far as I can tell, it is impossible for us to not be in trouble.
I should hardly think so. Just tell them the goddess sent you.
But we can be in *more* trouble.
* Woman sighs. "Do you want a happy goddess, or an ANGRY GODDESS?!"
Wait. You're the goddess?
(* resists urse to type "Trouble is as trouble does".)
Okay, I'll do what you say, nice goddess lady.
Yes, I am Al'Tana, goddess of light.
Uhm, nice to meet you?
(You can call her Al!)
* Rei blinks. "Oh, wow. Nice to meet you. And please don't be angry? I'm a nice
person, really."
Do you need this to talk to us? 'Cause if you don't? I should really put
it back where I found it.
Oh, no. Keep it. I'll have another one made up, and it will give me
an opportunity to teach the fool who misplaced it a lesson.
Okay. So, uhm, temple. You gonna give us directions, or should we ask
one of the locals?
I'd trust her more than the locals.
Okay. If we accept this mission, and they *aren't* too happy with us,
could you provide some sorta divine proof that we really were sent, and we're
not just making this up?
Please?
It's the big structure.
Why don't we just carry her with us, and she can guide us as we go, and
tell us about this glorious city and stuff. No offense, Ms. Light Goddess, but
your people are kinda crummy tour guides. Not that you're a tour guide! Uh, I
should stop talking.
* Asanjya gently but firmly prods Rei. In the upper arm.
Ow.
* Rei rubs at her arm.
* Al`Tana eyes Chie. "You want proof?" Her eyes flash, and Chie is momentarily
blinded like someone shined a laser pen in her eyes.
Ow!
* Maria blinks and looks around. Which structure is biggest?
* Al`Tana does it again. "Believe me now? No? I better prove it again!"
* Chie blinks rapidly to try and clear her eyes. "I didn't say *I* didn't
believe! When did I say *I* didn't belive?"
* Al`Tana does it again. "Just making sure!"
Ow!
* Chie doubles over, still blinking.
* Maria winces. Don't taunt the goddess, don't taunt the goddess.
[The biggest structure is the big crystilline tower in the center of
town.]
* Chie shuts up and rubs her eyes, which are watering now.
So, it's the big glass tower?
Ms. Goddess, I think she's a believer now.
* Chie refrains from saying that she has seen the light.
...
* Rei refrains from telling Chie not to go toward the light.
* Chomei rubs Chie's shoulder. "You okay?"
(Is the ball still just floating?)
* Chie blinks up at him with reddish eyes. "'m fine. Let's go."
Okay. So we go to temple. Tell priest "Goddess sent us, need seal." They
give us seal, we bring to place, put where need be, and that it?
* Chomei pauses, then nods.
Yes. That's quite right. Now, if you'll excuse me....
* Al`Tana disappears into the orb.
* Asanjya snags the ball with a hairTendril, and tucks it in her cloak. She
turns back, frowning.
* Rei eyes. "Not saying anything. Not saying anything. Oh, damn, I said
something. Forget I said that."
You people seriously don't know how to talk to hugely powerful beings.
Sorry, I'm out of practice.
Uhm, sorry? I've only been involved in deals arranged through third
parties.
Next time the phone or orb rings and it's a demon or god, I'll take
it. Deal?
My mom and dad talked to hugely powerful beings!
They're not me.
Deal.
Whatever.
They're all yours.
At least she no smite us.
* Lazar mutters.
* Chie squints one last time. "Ow. I'm gonna take my contacts out."
No, she just went all flashy with the flashlight eyes thing.
* Asanjya readjusts her hair. "You figure you'd have had more practice than me,
but hey."
( Hearing checks! +2! )
2d6+2
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6+2) and gets 9.
* Chie slips them out and puts them away.
2d6+2
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chomei (2d6+2) and gets 7.
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6) and gets 8.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Chie (2d6) and gets 5.
2d6+2
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Asanjya (2d6+2) and gets 5.
[Whoever made it hears footsteps of someone trying and mostly succeeding
in sneaking up on you.]
* Chie has brown bloodshot eyes now, instead of blue-green ones. Then she whirls
around. "Who's there?"
* Asanjya spins! To see! The person! Who is there! Or not!@
* Maria looks the way Chie turned.
* Rei turns and points her fingers in the air. "Stop in the name of pickles!"
[It's a little girl. She yelps in surprise at the scary people.]
* Chomei blinks and looks in that direction.
Oh. Hi! Sorry about that.
* Rei blinks. "Oh, hi. Uh, I don't actually have any pickles." She lowers her
hands.
* Chie waves.
[The girl approaches cautiously.]
* Rei watches her approach?
* Maria blinks at the girl.
* Chie smiles at her.
2d6
* Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6) and gets 7.
[When she gets close enough, she suddenly darts around behind Rei and
yanks on her tail, then runs off giggling!]
Ow!
The kids like you.
* Chie laughs, too. "They really do."
* Rei rubs at her butt, and her tail. "Ow. Ow ow ow. My tail! Oh, it's still
here."
We should move now.
Ya think?
Yeah. Don't wanna piss off the goddess again.
* Chie stands up and slings her bag over her shoulder.
* Asanjya walks! Towards crystal! Thing!
Yeah, okay. Can I stay and play with the kids? Probably not, huh?
Maybe we'll have an entourage of kids as we go.
... Ensof no going be happy. Ah well. And NO.
* OmegaDarklight has quit IRC (Ping timeout )
Right.
But I like them!
Well, having the goddess these people worship on our side is a good
thing, right?
I gueeeeess.
She never specified they worshipped her. Just that she was a goddess.
* Rei starts sulking off to the big shiny phallic symbol.
I mean, they'll listen to her and... oh.
* Chomei starts walking that way.
They do, Asanjya. Ensof told us earlier.
Well, that's good, then.
* Chie heads along.
[You walk towards the tower. Man, it's huge. People give you strange
looks and mutter things like, "Come along, children, don't play with those dirty
things; you don't know where they've been."]
* Maria walks along. "Well, uh, I guess it's a good thing I borrowed that thing,
isn't it?"
* Rei shakes her fist. "I'll have you know that I know exactly where I've been!"
* Lazar GLARES down at Maria.
* Asanjya walks along. Ignoring the people. Or maybe she's making a list of
people to kill later.
* Maria is full of conflicting emotions.
* Chie continues, blinking every so often.
[But eventually you get there. The tower rises high into the sky, and
is lost among the clouds. There's two huge double doors built into its base, and
four receptionists windows on the outside, on either side of the tower. There's
lines at all of them.]
* Maria blinks. "Wow, they've got clouds down here, too."
[The doors are open, but there's two female guards there checking people
for documentation before they can go inside.]
Could be illusionary clouds.
Looks like prayer's in full motion, too. Reminds me of a bank.
Where do we go now?
They're prayer tellers!
* Maria walks right past the guards.
Yes. Hope you brought your prayer deposit slip.
...
* Asanjya GRABS Maria.
(with her hair!)
* Lazar GRABS Maria. With his hands!
( Not that way, mind. On the shoulders. )